In an extensive push to curb crimes against women and children while tackling the menace of illicit narcotics, Tamil Nadu has approved a major expansion of its judicial infrastructure. The state government has moved to eliminate systemic trial delays, ensuring that victims of severe offences receive timely justice and offenders face rigorous legal consequences. Following a detailed assessment of case backlogs across districts, official orders have been issued to set up 30 new special courts dedicated exclusively to trials under child protection and narcotics control statutes.
Review of Pending Cases and Judicial Preparedness
The decision followed a high-level review convened to examine the status of pending cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 across Tamil Nadu. During the proceedings, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay reviewed case figures, current trial progress, and the requirement for dedicated benches capable of handling these sensitive matters without procedural bottlenecks. The assessment highlighted an immediate necessity for additional courts across all administrative jurisdictions to bring trials to a speedy conclusion.
Following the deliberations, directives were issued to fast-track hearings and establish dedicated POCSO courts across every district. The primary objective behind this administrative intervention is to secure timely convictions under the law, sparing young victims prolonged distress in court corridors and establishing a formidable deterrent against heinous crimes.
Allocation of Rs 46.59 Crore for 26 New POCSO Courts
Currently, Tamil Nadu operates 22 special POCSO courts, with another 4 special courts nearing operational readiness. To decisively address the mounting volume of pending matters, the state government has sanctioned a formal order to establish 26 new special courts at a financial outlay of Rs 46.59 crore. This expansion comprises 12 brand new special courts and 14 additional special courts.
With this infrastructure rollout, a total of 52 special courts will be functioning across 47 police districts in Tamil Nadu to hear cases under the POCSO Act, 2012. This extensive network is designed to accelerate evidence examination, protect vulnerable witnesses, and ensure that trials reach a logical conclusion within a compressed timeframe.
Four Additional NDPS Courts Under Anti-Drug Mission
Alongside child safety measures, the state administration is reinforcing legal mechanisms to combat drug trafficking under its "Drug-Free Tamil Nadu" mission. To ensure that violations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) are adjudicated swiftly following due legal procedures, the government has moved to unburden the existing judicial pipeline.
At present, 11 special NDPS courts are functioning within the state. To clear accumulating case backlogs, the government has ordered the creation of 4 new special courts under the NDPS framework. These will include one special court each in Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Vellore, along with an additional special court in Chennai. The reinforcement of these special benches aims to accelerate trials against narcotics syndicates, fortifying law enforcement efforts and advancing the state's vision of an illicit drug-free society.
